The Panasonic R-72 transistor radio, also known as the Toot a loop, is a wonderful example of pop art inspired design. Departing from the square box format, this portable is shaped like a donut with an off-center hole, designed to be worn on the wrist. Simply by twisting the swivel joint at the thinnest point, the radio forms an “S” shape, with the circular station dial at the top and the speaker at the bottom. This example in red is characteristic of the bright hues available in this model.
The R-72 would fill a gap in the museum’s collection of radios, which has, at the time of acquisition, much stronger representation in table top models (1930s–1960s), with only a few examples of portable transistor types in the box format and two 1980s examples in unusual shapes by Philippe Starck. Mid-20th-century consumer electronics is an area of collection interest.

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